Euryops pectinatus is one of those garden plants that a gardener in a dry, Mediterranean climate cannot afford to overlook.
It may not be fantastically spectacular as far as ornamental bushes go, but it is attractive enough, hardy to pests and disease, drought tolerant and ideal for the home gardener looking for low maintenance plants.
Furthermore, it has one particular quality that sets it apart from many other species of similar appearance.
Euryops pectinatus is an evergreen small shrub, or woody perennial from South Africa.
It grows to about 1-2meters (3-6ft) with grayish-green, finely toothed foliage.
With regular clipping, its growth is more compact, and at a height of about 1 meter performs well as a background or filler plant in a flower bed, or as a low informal hedge.
It blooms profusely from the spring until the beginning of winter, with prominent, deep yellow, daisy flowers.
As a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) botanical family, its afore mentioned daisy flowers combine well with a host of flowering plants, whether shrubs and bushes, annuals and perennials.
Examples include many species of Chrysanthemum, Arctotis, Gazania, and Felicia.
In visual terms, its closest associate is probably the fabulous Chrysanthemum frutescens.
While Euryops's blooms last much longer than those of Chrysanthemum frutescens, the plant is less attractive in terms of overall shape and leaf texture.
Why then choose it at all if one can plant the Chrysanthemum instead? The one great advantage that Euryops has is its longevity.
There are very few perennials available to the gardener that flower over such a long period, and that can be relied on year after year.
Chrysanthemum frutescens, by way of comparison, rarely lives more than a couple of years, with much variability between the specimens.
It is best therefore to combine both species - Chrysanthemum supplying more color options, and a foliage "architecture" that is almost unparelled in the gardening world, with Euryops pectinatus providing stability and easy maintenance.
Growing Conditions and Requirements As is typical of much South African flora, Euryops pectinatus is drought hardy, requiring good drainage.
It will grow better with some water in the growing season, but is very modest in its needs, occasional soakings being preferable to constant moisture in the soil's top layer.
This is particularly true in heavy, clay soils.
It does not need chemical fertilizer and may well suffer from it.
Compost dug lightly into the soil, and an organic mulch on top, are all the plants need.
The species is not cold hardy and is suited only to mild-winter climates.
The dry climate gardener should always be on the lookout for reliable and (dare I say it) useful plants.
There is of course room for the more spectacular species, but it is a mistake, both practically and aesthetically, to try to make every specimen a "winner".
The "steady" plant is also important, and Euryops pectinatus is often one that perfectly fits the bill.
It may not be fantastically spectacular as far as ornamental bushes go, but it is attractive enough, hardy to pests and disease, drought tolerant and ideal for the home gardener looking for low maintenance plants.
Furthermore, it has one particular quality that sets it apart from many other species of similar appearance.
Euryops pectinatus is an evergreen small shrub, or woody perennial from South Africa.
It grows to about 1-2meters (3-6ft) with grayish-green, finely toothed foliage.
With regular clipping, its growth is more compact, and at a height of about 1 meter performs well as a background or filler plant in a flower bed, or as a low informal hedge.
It blooms profusely from the spring until the beginning of winter, with prominent, deep yellow, daisy flowers.
As a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) botanical family, its afore mentioned daisy flowers combine well with a host of flowering plants, whether shrubs and bushes, annuals and perennials.
Examples include many species of Chrysanthemum, Arctotis, Gazania, and Felicia.
In visual terms, its closest associate is probably the fabulous Chrysanthemum frutescens.
While Euryops's blooms last much longer than those of Chrysanthemum frutescens, the plant is less attractive in terms of overall shape and leaf texture.
Why then choose it at all if one can plant the Chrysanthemum instead? The one great advantage that Euryops has is its longevity.
There are very few perennials available to the gardener that flower over such a long period, and that can be relied on year after year.
Chrysanthemum frutescens, by way of comparison, rarely lives more than a couple of years, with much variability between the specimens.
It is best therefore to combine both species - Chrysanthemum supplying more color options, and a foliage "architecture" that is almost unparelled in the gardening world, with Euryops pectinatus providing stability and easy maintenance.
Growing Conditions and Requirements As is typical of much South African flora, Euryops pectinatus is drought hardy, requiring good drainage.
It will grow better with some water in the growing season, but is very modest in its needs, occasional soakings being preferable to constant moisture in the soil's top layer.
This is particularly true in heavy, clay soils.
It does not need chemical fertilizer and may well suffer from it.
Compost dug lightly into the soil, and an organic mulch on top, are all the plants need.
The species is not cold hardy and is suited only to mild-winter climates.
The dry climate gardener should always be on the lookout for reliable and (dare I say it) useful plants.
There is of course room for the more spectacular species, but it is a mistake, both practically and aesthetically, to try to make every specimen a "winner".
The "steady" plant is also important, and Euryops pectinatus is often one that perfectly fits the bill.
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